Sermons on Absent From The Body:

Take It Back!

Contributed by Tommy Jackson on Jan 16, 2006

Unbelievable pain, incredible hurt. Why God? Why? Answers don’t come easily; sometimes they never come. But God wants us to know HIM and our pain drives us to him.

TAKE IT BACK! One of my all-time favorite movies is Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first film in the Indiana Jones trilogy. I think it’s Steven Spielberg’s greatest work. In the film Hitler’s Nazis have stolen the newly recovered Ark of the Covenant and placed it aboard a German submarine. The Ark ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace In The Wilderness

Contributed by Howard Mcglamery on Feb 10, 2003

"The people that were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness." In the midst of the wilderness experiences of life we can find comfort in the grace of God, encouragement in the everlasting love of God and hope in the promises of God.

Grace In The Wilderness Jeremiah 31 Introduction One of the most unusual men in the Bible is a man of God / prophet named Jeremiah. Let me run through some of the facts of his life before we get into the subject of today’s message. 1. He was born a priest in a small town north of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

You Don't Always Spell Trouble With A Capital "T" Series

Contributed by Matthew Vigor on Mar 22, 2007

Tough times come for all of us in a variety of ways.

Sermon for Sunday, January 2, 2005 1st sermon in an 11 part series "You don’t always spell ’trouble’ with a capital T" "Words to Grow By" (James 1:1-18) Copyright 2005 G. Charles Sackett That section in Ginny’s Bible is absolutely correct. Tough times come. They come for all of us in a variety ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can Anything Good Come Out Of Suffering? Series

Contributed by Ross Anderson on Oct 25, 2005

As you joyfully persevere in trials, God will transform you in this life and bless you in next.

We¡¦ve been talking the last few weeks about affliction and sufferings. Let me tell you a little parable about trials. A bird was flying south for the winter. It got so cold the bird froze up and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some manure ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Which Boat Are You In?

Contributed by Erin Cole on Nov 15, 2000

This sermon deals with where people may find themselves during tough times in their lives, and how through God

Which Boat Are You In? Opening Ill- There has been so much in the news lately about the Titanic- the new movie, books and memorabilia springing up since the popularity of the movie; possibility of bringing artifacts up from the ocean floor where the wreckage now lies... There is no question but ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 8:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

"Joy Is Found In Keeping Your Balance.” Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 25, 2004

Fifth in a series on "Restoring the Joy" a study of Philippians. In this message we discover that Joy is found in living a life of balance Balancing Purpose and Power Balancing Attitude and Action Balancing Seriousness and Joy.

Restoring the Joy Sermon # 5 “Joy Is Found In Keeping Your Balance.” Philippians 2:12-18 One of the hardest things in life to attain is balance; to balance work and leisure, career with family, faith and day to day life. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

It's A Wonderful Life In The Face Of Trouble Series

Contributed by Randall Bergsma on Dec 19, 2006

Life is difficult. Christmas can bring crisis for many. But it can still be wonderful because God came in Jesus to be with me.

Intro: Have you ever felt you might be better off dead than alive? The struggles of life seem to surmount the beauties of life and you begin to wonder “what’s the point?” That’s what happened to Geoge Bailey in the classic film It’s a wonderful Life. In this scene your about to see, George, who ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Crisis Of Belief

Contributed by Tiger Gullett on Feb 26, 2002

When the rubber meets the road, we are at a Crisis of Belief. Will we trust God or Grumble?

CRISIS OF BELIEF Coming to a place where you have to make a decision about your faith. Israel’s 8 Crisis’ of Belief Exodus 14-18, Numbers 14:1-4, 20-23 INTRODUCTION: The Israelites have been living in Egypt ever since Joseph’s brothers came back to him during the famine. Pharoe loved the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Life's Detours And Disruptions Series

Contributed by James Hardy on Feb 3, 2006

So often in our lives we hit a bump in the road. We answer the phone and on the other end there’s bad news. Ever happen to you?

Has it ever happed to you? The phone rings and on the other end there’s bad news. You go to the mailbox and there’s a letter from the IRS or a past due notice, more bad news. You go to the doctor and he gives it to you, bad news. There’s a knock on your door, bad news. Sure, we have all had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

"We Have This Treasure"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 2, 2004

The treasure of the Gospel of Christ is what enbles us to persevere.

2 Corinthians 4:3-7 “We Have This Treasure” by: Rev. Kenneth Emerson Sauer, Pastor of Parkview united Mehtodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org A story is told of an old estate auction where some of the finest china, linens, furniture, and other things of great value were being ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-7

Denomination: United Methodist

That's Not A Knife

Contributed by John Beehler on Jul 17, 2003

Don’t let the stresses and worries of life get you down. Trust in the greater power.

That’s Not A Knife I remember in one of my college classes reading about an expert testimony concerning time management that was presented to a Senate sub-committee in 1960. These experts said that because of advances in technology, within twenty years or so, people would be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34, Mark 6:53-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trials: God's Hard Gifts Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 13, 2003

The trials in our life are never easy, but God uses them to refine us into better people.

James 1:1-18 January 12, 2003 Trials - God’s Hard Gifts Last week we looked at the Man James, brother of Jesus. Today, we begin to look at the letter that he left us in the New Testament. Jesus was prophesied to be a man of sorrows, well acquainted with grief; his brother James also had ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-18

Denomination: *other

Big Ears Series

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Apr 27, 2004

Message series in book of James: “Extreme Makeover: What Really Looks Good to God” - A church that is in hard times gets a lesson through James on how to grow together as a community of faith with big ears.

Big Ears Message series in book of James: “Extreme Makeover: What Really Looks Good to God” Big word, an in word, in our culture these days is “makeover.” Tummy tucks, lipo-suction, nose jobs, home renos, remodelling of gardens, they are all the rage. Many TV shows that have this theme are ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Welcoming God's Strange Messengers Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 16, 2005

Trials are common to all people! What is not common, however, is your response to trials. In today’s sermon, James teaches you how to respond to your trials.

Scripture Someone once posted a sheet of paper on a bulletin board with the following heading: “You know it’s going to be a bad day when. . . .” Allow me to share a few of the “whens” with you. You know it’s going to be a bad day when. . . • You wake up to the soothing sound of running ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Power Of Praise Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 7, 2006

In this message we notice Daniel’s second response to a crisis. (His first response was in Daniel 2:1-18.) Daniel responded to the crisis in a way that sets him apart as a man worthy of imitation.

Scripture If you live a typical life span, you will spend about twenty years of it asleep. And during those twenty years, it is estimated that you will have about 300,000 dreams. As you know, we don’t remember most of our 300,000 dreams. Only if you wake up in the middle of your dream are you ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:19-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed